Hand operated boat propeller



June 6, 1961 F. A. DE JEAN, JR 2,987,030 HAND OPERATED BOAT PROPELLEP.

Filed Feb. 26, 1959 Fig./ /0

Fig.2 0

Felllr A. D eJean, Jr.

1N VEN TOR.

Mm BY Z5309 3% United States Patent 9 2,987,030 HAND' OPERATED BOAT PROPEIJLER Felix A. De Jean, Jr., 106 N. Cou'rg 'opelousas, 'La. Filed Feb. 26, 195 9, Ser,-No. 795,724

1 Claim. ((31. 1=15---28) This invention relates generally to boat attachments and more particularly to an attachment adapted to be utilized when trolling.

Trolling is a type :of fishing wherein the-iisherman slowly moves the line through the water-as from a slow quiet moving boat. Of course, when trolling, it is undesirable to utilizethe-motor. Accordingly, attachments have been-developed -by-the-prior artwhich adapt boats, such as runabouts or row boatsffoflffiilitating the slow and quiet movement of a boat through the water. Though the devices known fo'tlie'prior -art'have proven satisfactory for theirinten'dedpu'rpose, the use of them has often been found to be inconvenient in that they are often des gned to be suspended from the stern of the boat in a position usually occupied by an outboard motor. Accordingly, the applicant has herein developed an attachment which is intended to be utilized at the bow of a boat, remote from the motor. The device finds particular utility when the fisherman desires to troll or cast in streams.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a boat attachment for utilization in quiet moving streams to establish trolling speeds for a boat.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel boat attachment which is adapted to be utilized on the bow of a boat.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel construction in boat attachments which may be permanently supported at the bow of a boat and pivotally related thereto for assuming operative and inoperative positions.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel boat attachment which clearly performs its intended purpose and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install.

In accordance with the above stated objects, below is particularly described the novel construction and operational features of a boat attachment comprising this invention and including an elongated rod rotatably supported from a plate. The plate in turn is hinged to a clamp received on the bow of a boat. The rod is rotatably supported by the plate so that the rod may be rotated through 360 relative thereto. Terminally secured to the rod beneath the water level is a flexible blade which allows fishtail noiseless movement thereof to aid in properly propelling the boat. The hinged connection between the plate and the clamp allows the attachment to be sustained in either an operative or vertical position and an inoperative or horizontal position.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational plan view of a boat incorporating the attachment comprising this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational side view of a boat incorporating the attachment comprising this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevation side view illustrating the attachment in its inoperative horizontal position; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the attachment comprising this invention.

With continuing reference to the drawing, the numeral generally represents a boat having a bow portion 12 Patented June 6, 1961 and a stern portion 14. The boat 10 may be any of a number of conventional small boats such as row boats or runabouts. Secured to the stern portion 14 is a conventional outboard motor 1 6'having a driving propeller 18 for motivating the boat '10 through the water. Of course, the attachment comprising this invention is equally adaptable for utilization with an inboard motor boat.

The attachment includes a cylindrical elongated rod 22 having ahandle portion 24'perpendicula rly and terminally fixed at the upper end thereof as at 26. The handle portion '24 may be welded to the elongated rod 22 or the handle portion24 and the rod 22 may be integrally formed. Terminally carried on the handle portion-24 are hand grip means 28 and 30.

A plate 32 has a pair of ears 34 and '36 perpendicularly secured thereto as byr ivets 38. Each of the ears 34 and '3'6includes apertures therein which are aligned and receive the-elongatedwod 22 -whic'h verticallyextends therethrough. The rod 22 has a collar 40 thereon which is adapted to slide on the rod 22. A setscrew 42 passes through the collar 40 for locking the collar 40 to the rod 22 to prevent sliding movement therebetween. Further, the collar 40 is illustrated in FIGURE 4 abutting car 34 so as to properly vertically position the elongated rod 22 with respect to the plate '32. It will be noted in FIGURE 4 that the elongated rod 22 is freely rotatable within the ears 34 and 36 and accordingly the rod 22 may be manually rotated by utilization of the handle 24 through 360 relative to the plate 32.

On the bottom terminal portion of the rod 22 is an angularly positioned extension 44. A pair of strips 46 and 48 are secured to the extension 44 and are spaced relative to each other. Received therebetween is an end portion of a flexible blade 50 which is secured to the strips 46, 48 as by rivets 52. The flexible blade 50 may be of leather, rubber, or such. A brace 54 extends between the elongated rod 22 at '56 to the top surface 58 of flexible blade 50. The brace 54 provides limited rigidity to the blade 50.

A C-clamp 60 having a bight portion 62 and depending leg portions 64 and 66 is hinged to the plate 32 by hinge 68. Threaded apertures in the leg 64 of C-clamp 60 receive screw clamps 70 having bearing surfaces 72. As indicated in FIGURE 2, the C-clamp 60 is received over an upstanding portion '76 proximate the boat bow 12 and clamped thereto as bearing surface 72 of screw clamp 70 bears against member 76. In the utilization of the device, the rod 22 will be vertically positioned with the belt '50 extending below the water line so as to move through the water with fishtail-like motion.

In order to secure the rod 22 in the vertical position of FIGURE 2, a slot 78 is provided in the plate 32 which receives a U-shaped projection 80 fixed to leg 66 of C- clamp 60 therethrough. A chain 82 is terminally ser'cured at 84- to the plate 32 and has a hook portion 86 terminally carried thereby. As shown in FIGURE 4, the hook portion 86 is receivable in the U-shaped projection 80 for assuring retention of the plate 32 adjacent the leg 66 of the C-clamp 60.

When the attachment is desired to be rendered inoperative, for example, when the fisherman desires to utilize the driving motor 16, the plate 32 may be pivoted on hinge 68 so that the rod 22 assumes a horizontal inoperative position as indicated in FIGURE 3. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the attachment comprising this invention is rendered inoperative and does not impede the progress of the boat as driven by motor 16. Accordingly, it will be seen that the attachment may be utilized at will and represents an additional feature which may be incorporated with a boat without detracting from the proper functioning thereof.

The particular construction of the various elements of the invention relative to the materials utilized is not of great significance. That is, the elongated rod 22, plate 32, clamp 60, handle portion 24 may be constructed of any material having strength enough to withstand the stresses incurred. The flexible blade 50 must possess the qualities of being flexible and wear resistant. The chain must be of a strength sufficient to secure the plate 32 adjacent the depending leg 66.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In combination with a boat having a bow and stern, a

straight attachment for utilization when trolling compris- 20 ing an elongated rod, a plate, means rotatably supporting said rod from said plate allowing for 360 rotation of said rod relative to said plate, and a blade terminally secured to said rod, a clamp, said plate hinged to said clamp, said means including a pair of ears perpendicularly fixed to said plate, aligned apertures in said ears passing said rod, a slidably adjustable collar on said rod, locking means for preventing sliding between said collar and rod, said collar abutting one of said ears for retaining said rod in said apertures, said clamp securing said attachment on said bow, said rod adapted to extend beneath the water line, a U-shaped projection fixed to said clamp, a slot in said plate in registry with said projection, a chain fixed tosaid plate terminally carrying a hook, said hook receivable in said projection to retain said clamp and plate in a particular hinged position.

References Cited in the file of this patent Great Britain June 6, 1947 

